President Duterte has dispelled concerns the telecommunication towers may cause cancer problems to the public as the government cut the processing period for telco firm applications to only 16 days from a high of 241 days.

In his televised address Monday night, the President said he found no health reason to object to cell towers, stressing that he has been living near one facility for years.

Duterte made the latest pronouncement after opposing any unjustified delay in the processing time for building permit applications for cell towers.

“By the time it reaches your table, the vice mayor should table the following – the following hearing, city council hearing. And after that… What is your objection? Wala naman kayong objection diyan. Cancer na – ? Maniwala ka diyan (You have no objection to that. Cancer? You believe that?),” Duterte said in the meeting with several Cabinet officials in Davao City.

“Ako nga sabi ko malapit ako, tanungin mo ‘yang mga dito – taga-rito, malapit ako sa tower. Nakikita ko ‘yung pula na parang blinker (I stay near a tower, you can ask the people here. I can even see the red blinkers),” he added.

Just recently, the President called on local government units to hasten the processing of permits for telco towers that are needed to improve connectivity in the country. Duterte had found out that too many requirements imposed by local officials delayed the construction of telco towers.

In the meeting with the President, Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año reported that of the 1,930 applications for telco permits at various LGUs, 1,502 were already been approved.

Año promised to closely monitor the processing of the remaining applications at the local level.

The DILG chief also informed the President that the new processing period of applications from telco firms has been shortened from as high as 241 days to just 16 days with the fewer permits and documentary requirements now.

The President thanked Año for his latest work and pledged anew to run after corrupt government officials. He said there will be “no mercy” in his campaign against corruption in government.

“The reason ang mga telco nahihirap maski yung mga tower nila it’s not being acted upon and there are so many requirements being asked by the local government officials,” the President said.

“A delay of 200 days is totally unacceptable,” he said.

He warned local officials not give excuses about the delays in the processing of permits. He reminded them that such telco projects although initiated by the private sector form part of the government project to improve services to the public.

“Do not give me that sh*t kung hindi idedemanda ko kayo lahat (or else I will file charges against all of you),” he said.